when gluing the cork rings together on a mandrel to turn a grip do you wax the mandrel and then actually glue the cork rings to the mandrel? Or do you just glue the rings to each other? Does the wax actually provide enough friction between the cork and mandrel to turn it? Or does it simply allow you to remove the cork from the mandrel after gluing them?

Wax the mandrel and glue the rings to each other. When you clamp the rings, some glue is going to squeeze out on the inside. The wax will allow you to get the handle off the mandrel. As long as you didn't make the ring inner diameter too big, you should have no problem with the rings spinning on the mandrel. If you do, a little bit of masking tape on the mandrel will hold the handle in place. I wrpa a bit of the tape on the mandrel and then slide the handle over it.

Just to add to Mike's excellent answer, sometimes the grip will stick to the mandrel. One method that I have found that works very well is to place a washer over the mandrel and down on the grip. Next slip a piece of pvc pipe over the mandrel and tap it with a rubber mallet to dislodge the grip. I make all of my grips and so far have not broken or marred the cork using this method.

I actually build the grip off the mandrel on a piece of threaded rod with some washers and wing nuts...after it's dry, then transfer the cork stick to the mandrel....no worries about it sticking to anything.


Andy Dear
www.lamarfishing.com

I would have to agree with Andy. Glue the faces of the cork rings together on a threaded mandrel. After they dry, it'll won't take much to free them up. A half twist will free any glue that has leaked onto the mandrel from the rings. Then put it on the mandrel and sand away.

Domenic